Deputies involved in crashes in Ulster, Columbia counties

KINGSTON -- Sheriff's deputies in Ulster and Columbia counties were involved in separate patrol car accidents Wednesday and Thursday, according to deputies.

Ulster County sheriff's deputies said that on Wednesday at 7:35 p.m. Deputies Andrew Bergen was at a traffic stop on state Route 28 with his emergency lights flashing when a Trailways bus, operated by Damon Bohley, 36, of Smith Avenue, Kingston, sideswiped the patrol car while traveling west on Route 28.

Deputies said the deputy was not injured and both the patrol car and the bus sustained minor damage. They said there were two passengers on the bus and neither was injured.

Deputies said Bohley was ticketed for failure to use due care when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle.

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Meanwhile, in Columbia County, deputies said they were investigating an accident Thursday at 7:55 a.m. involving a marked patrol car on state Route 23 in Claverack.

Deputies said the patrol car while slowing down, activated its emergency lights, and turned to conduct a traffic stop on an eastbound vehicle. They said the patrol car and the other vehicle, also traveling eastbound, then collided. It was not clear from the news release whether the vehicle the deputy turned to stop was the same one with which he collided. No further description of the collision was given in the news release.

Deputy Joseph Bruno, who was operating the patrol car, complained of hand and rib pain and was taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, according to deputies.

They said the driver of the other vehicle, a 17-year-old female from Philmont who was not identified, complained of back pain at the scene and was taken by private vehicle to a physician.